Today is Sunday the 15th of March and we are pausing our usual Sabbath rhythm to pray for peace. As we bear witness to many wars and conflicts across the world, including Ukraine, Sudan and many other places, as well as the unfolding crisis in the Middle East – we are called to contend in prayer.
In the coming week, we at 24-7 Prayer are inviting you to join us in a week of prayer for peace. As we stand in the gap for the nations, we ask you to join in – whether for a moment, an hour, or a watch in the night – as together we seek God’s peace and mercy for the world.
Pause
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God.
Jesus, I believe the old order of things will pass away. I ache for the day when death will die, when mourning, crying and pain will cease. You will wipe every tear from our eyes and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5). As I await that day, I simply pray, ‘Come, Lord Jesus, come.’
I choose to rejoice in God’s reassuring presence and power today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 46…
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea…
He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
Considering the uncertainty and instability across the world, I take a moment to recognise the mix of emotions within me: do I feel confused, angry, apathetic, overwhelmed or something else?
Despite my feelings, I choose to pray with boldness, compassion and hope. May my intercession be my expression of love today.
In response to Psalm 46 and in the midst of multiple crises around the world, I take time now to reflect on God’s word and pray.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Prince of Peace. Faced with the horror of war, I am confident that you reign and are in control. You are the only answer to the turmoil of the nations.
Forgive me for not turning my ears to the cries of the suffering.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Your people are suffering globally; when one of us suffers, we all suffer. In the midst of this suffering I cry out to you, my great Hope and great Peace.
I pray for your protection to prevail. I pray that death and destruction would end.
I pray for those who seek to escalate violence, that your Holy Spirit would move them to de-escalate. I pray that they would be inspired to seek peace and adopt a posture of love.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Lord, I pray that in nations where conflict abounds you would raise up righteous leadership; leaders who care for all the people they serve and who are willing to pursue peace and justice.
Lord, I pray that you would meet with my brothers and sisters in these conflict-ridden zones; filling them with your peace, comforting them with your presence, give them strength to be Christlike within the storms of war.
‘This, then, is how you should pray:
‘“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.”’
Lord, I pray that at this time, in this hour, your Kingdom would come. That guns would be laid down, that weapons would be turned away, and that your love would reign supreme in a world so quickly moving towards hatred.
Lord have mercy, would your will be done, bring peace to our world, and be glorified throughout the globe.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I prepare to take this important time of prayer into the coming day and into this week of prayer, the Lord who loves me reassures me with these words from Philippians:
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May this day bring Sabbath rest to my heart, my home and my world.
Where relationships are broken, may the world be reconciled.
May I know grace to embrace my own finite smallness in the arms of God’s infinite greatness.
May God’s Word feed me and his Spirit lead me into the week and into the life to come.
Amen.
*Adapted from Pete Greig’s Sabbath Blessing and A Sabbath Prayer for the Season of Lent.
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